The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-06-26
A WILD MONTANA STORY.
A Scouts Adventure in the Wolf
Country

From the San Francisco Examiner
81 read with considerable interest the re-
port of the pigeon shooting match between
DR.. Carver and Graham the English cham
pion," said a gentleman from the North to
reporter yesterday. ''But as interesting as
imagine the match was, do not believe it
was so Accordingly so as one witnessed be-
tween DIR. Carver and Vic Smith, or yell
lowstone Vic as he was called. 1t took
place last July at Livingstone Montana.
DIR. Carver was out with Coles circus Civ
ing exhibitions of glass-ball shooting and
that was more drawing card than the me
nagerie or tumbling, or even the horseback
riding. Bright and early the COWBOYS came
IN from the ranges from a hundred miles
around, many having been on the saddle
all night. The quick work of the doctor
commanded general admiration, and he was
Landed freely, for while the cattle herders
were all crack shots with the rifle and Colts
revolver, they knew at once they had not
the ghost of a chance against the man whom
Mr., Cole had introduced into the Territory.
Just after the Doctor had finished his ex
hibition Marquis de Mores, tire cattle baron
of Dakota, approached him and said that he
had a man that he would hike to match for
thousand or so at glass-ball shooting Car
yer was not making matches Just then, but
he courteously agreed to accommodate the
Marquis and his. man. Whispers were then
going around that Yellowstone Vic was the
unknown, and few bets were made at par
In half an hour both men were ready, and
rode out OF the canvas covering three hip
podromes out to level piece Of ground.
The way those two men handled their re-
spective horses caused the liveliest cheering
and the boys from the ranges were wild
with delight Then as the contest began
mirth was suppressed by keen excitement.
Cowboys always want the best man to
win, and though they felt the honor that
would be conferred upon them by a victory
for their own man, they never once intima-
ted their desire to see Vic triumphant II
was the closest contest Dr. Carver had, for it
was a tie, and when the match had ended
the two men shook hands and the Doctor
sad, You're the best man ever met, Mr.
SS it'll, and though it is a tie, I'm satisfied
to let it remain so
This little speech was hailed by loud de-
monstrations of approval, and then Carver
asked Vic il he could not travel with him,
but as Vic was chartered TO Marquis de
Mores for bear hunt he could not join the
circus.
"Vic Smith is famous character in the
northern Territories and though he is less
than IS years of age, his experience as a
Government scout has given him wider
knowledge of the country along the Missouri
and Yellowstone rivers, the Big and Little
Horn, and Powder, Musselshell and Tongue
rivers than any man in Montana or Dako-
"a ! spent a day in Vic's company last
summer, and he told me an event in his life
that was us remarkable as il was interesting.
He was born in Milwaukee, and ran away
from home at the age OF u. When II he
was carrying mail between Fort Abercrom-
bic, on DEVILS Lake, and Grand Forks. The
city of Grand Forks was then only wolf
station. That is, there was only shed for
travellers to put up at and for men who
poisoned wolves for living during the
winter They received bounty money for
each tail and sold the pets, and they did
quite well during the fall and winter. 1t
was in the fall when the frosts were heavy
and biting cold that a rich prospector named
Brown arrived at the wolf station, and told
| the men that he was looking for land. He
intimated that he had 5000 upon him, and
was anxious to have it laid away in some So
cure place for the several days he would re-
main in camp The men were all supposed
| TO be honest, and the traveller had no fear.
| ain the camp was dissolute man named
! Robinson, who had been lounging about for
a month and making himself generally OBJ
| noxious to the other men. Brown had been
| In camp three days when Robinson took
| leave Of the men with the remark that he
was going up TO the fort, which was 100
miles distant and a three days ride.
"Vic was out day and half from Fort
| Abercrombie with his mail, and was riding
along at an easy canter when Robinson rode
up. 'Halloo, Vic he says, that's nice
horse you're riding Vic answered that y
was. but thought RobinSon's was a much
better one. Then the latter proposed a
trade, and to hurry up bargain offered Vic
| a premium of $50. II was accepted at once,
and as they were parting Robinson handed
| him a pistol, which be told him toput IN his
saddle pouch. Vic was very happy when
he pulled up at the next dog station about
shutdown and set to work preparing his sup
per of bacon and bread. He had just fin
| ished his repast when half dozen wolf men
! came up to the door. They did not spsak,
and after waiting some time for them to
make some remark Vic told them IL they
wanted any supper they could come IN cook
| il for themselves There's lot of bacon and
| -four. so help yourselves, he said. They
looked at each other and then roared with
laughter. You've got considerable gall,
youngster,' they said, and then one stepped
| IN and took him out of the shanty. They
bound him hand and foot, and then driving
a stake into the ground tied him to It, This
done, they went in and prepared their sup
per- Vic was young, though spirited, and
| he begged that they would not leave HMM
that p6sition all night, for he would freezc.
| They would hold no conversation with him,
but turned in and slept until morning.
When day broke they arose and found VIC
numb and apparently lifeless. His limbs
were swollen to twice their size from the
hemp which had been tied so tightly about
them He was in a frightful condition. and
his long black, glossy hair was turned TO
white: not black hair could be seen. One
old man in the party took compassion ON
him and loosened his hands. A consultation
was held and it was decided to hang him at
once
"'Where did you get your horssP they
asked. He told them but they did not be-
lieve his story Then it just dawned upon
him that the horse he got from Robinson
was not his property. He was correct IN
his suImises. Brown left camp the day at
ter Robinson did, and the latter, knowing
that Brown intended passing along the trail
next day, lay in wait and murdered him. a
traveller, passing soon after, noticed tho
| body and informed the wolf men at the stfs--
| ton They started out Immediately to find
the murderer. and seeing Vic with Browns
horse, supposed they had the right man.
"Vic pleaded with tears in his eyes and
asked them TO go up to the fort and ask the
officers there whether he had not LETT there
only two Gays since.
'They did not wish to go to the trouble,
but the old man said they should give him
that little show for his life, and the others
/ o,,,,fosoa.d They decided To take him with